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 Authors: Braam van Wyk / Piet van Wyk
The southern African subcontinent is mantled by a wide range of Vegetation types which, between them, embrace a truly astonishing variety of tree species - an estimated 1.700 altogether, with another 100 or so introduced from other parts of the world and now naturalized. The Field Guide to Trees o f Southern Africa describes, in clear and concise fashion, more than 1.000 of the more common and accessible ones. The book has been written and designed with the non-specialist reader in mind. Species accounts are logically arranged in 43 groups based an easy-to-observe leaf and stem characters, and each species account is illustrated by at least one full-colour photograph of the plant's most readily identifiable part or parts. The text also touches on the practical uses of plants; supplementary features include useful notes and tree identification and an extensive illustrated glossary. Braam van Wyk's early interest in the natural sciences led him to the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, where he gained a master's degree in botany. He later joined the teaching staff of, and was awarded a doctorate by, the University of Pretoria, where he is currently Professor of Botany and Curator of the H.G.W.J. Schweickerdt Herbarium. He has authored numerous scientific articles and papers, and the popular work Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of the Witwatersrand & Pretoria Region (Struik, 1988). Piet van Wyk, no relation but also a graduate of Potchefstroom University, worked as a biologist with the Kruger National Park's research team for three decades prior to his retirement in 1991. In that year he was awarded a Chancellor's medal by the University of Pretoria, together with an honorary doctorate from Unisa, in recognition of his contribution to botany, nature conservation and environmental education in southern Africa. Among his published works are Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park (Struik, 1984) and Southern African Trees: A Photographic Guide (Struik, 1993).
This book is intended primarily as a field manual to enable the reader to identify trees in their natural environment. It describes and illustrates about 815 of the most common native and naturalized alien tree species in southern Africa, which is about half the total number of trees known from this botanically diverse part of the continent. In many cases the names and diagnostic characters of closely related species are also mentioned, bringing the total number of trees we cover, and which can be identified with the use of the book, to well over 1.000. We would have liked to include all tree species native to the region, but unfortunately such a volume would have been prohibitively costly to produce and much too unwieldy for practical use. As an aid to quick and positive identification, the trees in this book have been classified into groups, the arrangement based on easy-to-observe vegetative features. Colour illustrations of flowers and/or fruits, as well as a distribution map, accompany each species. Entries also cover plant usage, and include references to closely related species. Emphasis is placed throughout on family recognition. No keys have been attempted, partly because not all species are included and partly because the botanical detail required makes it impossible to devise a key simple enough to be helpful to the non-botanist. This book contains the most comprehensive collection of photographs ever published on southern African trees. Most of the slides used were taken specifically for use in the book by one of us (PvW) who, since 1992, has covered over 160.000 km in his bid to photograph every known species of tree native to the region, both in flower and in fruit. These efforts have already yielded a collection of more than 30.000 colour photographs, and the project is continuing. Trees form a very important part of most natural and artificial landscapes. They are remarkable organisms, commanding respect and admiration for their beauty, size, hardiness and longevity. To study tree diversity and to learn about the very special place they occupy in nature and in human culture is an enriching experience. Tree identification, particularly in a species-rich area such as ours, is intellectually challenging and stimulating. Not only does it involve the physical handling of living organisms usually much older than ourselves, but it also deepens one's appreciation and enjoyment of nature. We hope this book will provide its readers with many hours of pleasure and contribute towards a greater love and a richer understanding of our extraordinarily diverse tree flora.
MORINGACEAE The leaves and fruit are browsed by elephant, giraffe and springbok. Bark, wood and root eaten by small stock and porcupine. Root edible, but sour-tasting. Wood light, spongy and very brittle. |